1955–2005 the Golden Jubilee Report
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Nelson Mandela famously described the HIV/Aids epidemic, that silent THE GOLDEN JUBILEE REPORT • the women of the Black Sash as the fellow traveller that twins and insidiously conscience of white South Africa prior entrenches the poverty that results to democracy. The Black Sash did play from 40% unemployment. Increasingly that role. For many years silent, black- the face of poverty in South Africa, as sashed volunteers were the scourge it is globally, is a woman’s face. In the of National Party ministers forcing frame too, are the face of her own through apartheid legislation. The broad children, or the orphaned children of sweeps of this design blighted our her sisters and daughters. history while the smaller brushstrokes, Fifty years after its founding the the application of the iniquitous policy Black Sash serves the poor with of apartheid, wreaked devastation on integrity and courage. The trusted and 2005 the lives of individuals and their families. long-established Black Sash advice It also precipitated a long struggle offices give empowering advice. From against apartheid and for social these daily interactions with peoples BLACKSASH democracy. The Black Sash has always seeking redress and relief, the Black MAKING HUMAN RIGHTS REAL kept these two perspectives in sight – Sash can with their characteristic the implications of laws and policies rigour advocate for the laws and and the practical effects that these policies that will benefit the poor, that have on the lives of the poor. will enable them to realise the promise THE GOLDEN JUBILEE REPORT 1990 heralded a new and initially contained in our constitution that will fragile era. The Black Sash, with their make the rights promised them in our 1955–2005 unwavering commitment to human constitution a reality. rights, were involved in the practical This book, and the exhibition of envisioning of our new South Africa photographs entitled ‘40 + 10‘ that and its constitution. A human rights accompanies it, pays a moving tribute culture was not built in that one magical to the work done by the Black Sash day symbol of our freedom, April 27th Trust and trustees, its tenacious and 1994, the day when all South Africans principled staff, and the volunteers could vote freely and fairly for their who continue to volunteer their time chosen representatives. and expertise. This jubilee reflection The inheritance of the new South on fifty years of the Black Sash is Africa was not only a miraculously arranged around the enduring values negotiated peaceful transition. It was that have provided the organisation also a virtually bankrupt state and with constancy and flexibility. This book apartheid’s intentional impoverishment is a celebration of the importance of of South Africans of colour. These had enduring ethical values, of a to be faced in the context of the conscience, in our society and is proof BLACK ruthless competitiveness of a global of Margaret Mead’s words that ‘a MAKING HUMAN RIGHTS REAL market and the eviscerating horror of small group of thoughtful, SASH www.blacksash.org.za BLACK SASH PARTNERS International Breadline Africa • Brot Fur die Welt • Charles Satewart Mott Foundation Church of Sweden • CORDAID • DanChurchAid • European Union Foundation for Human Rights • Ford Foundation • Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust • Oak Foundation • Open Society Foundation • Oxfam GB Local Constitution of the Republic of South Africa 1996 The Black Sash works to advance equality National Lottery Development Trust • Pick ‘n Pay • Syfrets and social justice. We provide a paralegal As adopted on 8 May 1996 and amended on 11 October 1996 by the Constitutional service to those who need help in a variety Assembly, Act 108 of 1996 Where to find the Black Sash of matters, including child support and other Black Sash National Office social grants, labour problems, debt 4thFloor • 12 Plein Street • Cape Town • 8001 One Law for One Nation Tel: 021 461 7804 • Fax: 021 461 8004 counselling and citizenship applications. Our Email: [email protected] services are free. Our seven regional offices Preamble Cape Town Advice Office help recover an average of R13 million a 4th Floor, Burleigh House • 24 Barrack Street We, the people of South Africa, year in government grants. In the process, Cape Town • 8001 Tel: 021 461 5607 • Fax: 021 461 5918 Recognise the injustices of our past; our clients recover their rights to the Email: [email protected] Honour those who suffered for justice and freedom in our land; recognition of their dignity and humanity. Durban Advice Office Respect those who have worked to build and develop our country; and The Black Sash is an independent, Diakonia Center • 20 St. Andrews Street Believe that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity. nongovernmental organisation that Durban • 4001 Tel: 031 301 9215 • Fax: 031 305 2817 contributes significantly to different areas We therefore, through our freely elected representatives, adopt this Email: [email protected] of national policy. Our research and Constitution as the supreme law of the Republic so as to: Gauteng Advice Office recommendations have tangible, real-world Khotso House , Ist Floor • 25 Anderson Street Heal the divisions of the past and establish a society based on democratic effects on crucial policy instruments, such Johannesburg • 2001 P. O. Box 2827 • Johannesburg, 2000 values, social justice and fundamental human rights; as the Social Security Agency (SSA) and the Tel: 011 834 8361/5 • Fax: 011 492 1177 Promotion of Administrative Justice Act Lay the foundations for a democratic and open society in which government Email: [email protected] is based on the will of the people and every citizen is equally protected by law; (PAJA). We train dozens of new paralegals Grahamstown Advice Office for other organisations each year and 48 Bathurst Street • Grahams town • 6140 Improve the quality of life of all citizens and free the potential of each person; Tel: 046 622 8091 • Fax: 046 622 7647 conduct outreach and education campaigns and Email: [email protected] in four provinces, on issues ranging from Knysna Advice Office Build a united and democratic South Africa able to take its rightful place as HIV/Aids to voter education. We believe in 9 Pitt Street • Knysna • 6570 a sovereign state in the family of nations. the rigorous monitoring and promotion of P. O. Box 210 Tel: 044 382 4458 • Fax: 044 382 3615 basic human rights. We intervene when May God protect our people. Email: [email protected] necessary, to ensure rights extend to all. Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika. Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso. Pietermaritzburg Advice Office The Black Sash is an advocate for a just 6th Floor Gallwey House • Gallwey Lane God seën Suid-Afrika. God bless South Africa. society. We are committed to making human Pietermaritzburg • 3200 P. O. Box 732 rights real. Mudzimu fhatutshedza Afurika. Hosi katekisa Afrika. Tel: 033 342 6368 • Fax: 033 394 5403 Email: [email protected] Port Elizabeth Advice Office 384 Dorsham House Cnr Elizabeth & Govern Mbeki Ave. Port Elizabeth • North End • 6001 P. O. Box 1515. Port Elizabeth 6000 www.blacksash.org.za Tel: 041 487 3288 • Fax: 041 484 1107 Email: [email protected]" The Black Sash 1955--2005 Golden Jubilee Report A celebration of a 50-year commitment to making human rights real in the everyday lives of all South Africans and an assessment of future challenges. BLACKSASH MAKING HUMAN RIGHTS REAL Acknowledgements Special thanks to the following for generous contributions towards Black Sash Jubilee and the publication of this celebratory Jubilee report. Denise Ackerman, Margaret Bewick, Larna Bronstein, RAR Bush, Mary Burton, Dot Cleminshaw, Judy Cook, Pauline Cuzen, ML De Beer, I Dichmont, Diane Driver, D Erlank, Hilary Feinberg, MA Field, Cherry Fisher, LL Harley, JL Hartly, R&A Hemp, NP Hoskins, In the Memory of Cecelia Jaffee, In the Memory of Phyllis Levenstein, Freda Lloyd, G Meyer, Barbara Meyerowitz JD Middelmann, Di Oliver, Mavis Orpen, DV Philcox, Judy Saul, Judy Sewell, Thelema Mountain Vineyards, Anne van der Riet, Mr & Mrs Verbeek, Paddy Walker, Dr PA Whitelock, PM Winter. Compiled by Margie Orford Photographs Benny Gool: Rigour, Justice, Courage Gill de Vlieg: Affirmation of Women, Volunteers and Civil Society Sam Majela: Dignity, Integrity Debbie Yazbek: Nonviolence Layout Design Redzone Printing Formset © The Black Sash 2005 The Black Sash National Office 2 Plein Street • 4th Floor • Cape Town 8001 Tel: +27 21 461 7804 • Fax: +27 21 461 8004 www.blacksash.org.za Contents Foreword: Sheena Duncan, the Patron of the Black Sash 2 A Jubilee Reflection: The Trustees 4 The Black Sash Now and in the Future: The National Director 13 27 1 Justice 2 Dignity 39 3 Affirmation of Women 49 4 Integrity 59 5 Nonviolence 71 6 Rigour 77 7 Independence and Courage 87 8 Volunteers and Civil Society 93 The Black Sash on the Map: 2005 102 Black Sash Publications 1955–2005 106 Financial Statements: 2004 108 Foreword: Sheena Duncan, The Patron of the Black Sash In the 1950s, we were newsworthy, perhaps because we were riding the tide of white protest against the ruthless determination of the government at the time to impose what later became known as apartheid. We found ways of doing things that caught the imagination of the press. At the end of that decade, one respected editor of an important newspaper tried to persuade our leadership to disband the organisation and to put all our energies into working for the United Party in the forlorn hope that the parliamentary electoral process could oust the National Party from power. We declined to take his advice. In the 1960s, we were labelled as communists and were shouted at and told we ought to be at home in our kitchens looking after our children.